Kitchens are hard working spaces so they need to be working at their best.
Often it’s not until you’re using your new kitchen that you discover some things could have been better planned out. In today’s blog I will cover 6 of the common kitchen design problems I see and how you can avoid them.
Design by Claire Delmar/Photography Anson Smart
A poorly laid out kitchen
This is a broad topic, so here’s a few basic things to consider. Remember to research your bench top heights. Benchtops often end up being too high or low for the main cooks in the family. There’s nothing worse than washing up in a sink that is too low or cutting vegetables on a bench that’s too high! Generally bench tops sit at 900mm but can range anywhere from 850-1000mm depending on the user. Some couples will even have different height benches in the kitchen to tackle the variation in their heights, so make sure that your finished bench heights are specific to you!
Include enough space within your island bench for your bar stools. If you love the idea of people socialising in your kitchen you need to ensure they are able to comfortably. Plan for between 300-400mm under your island so people can use your seating without bumping their knees. Also allow at least 600mm width along your island for people not to feel cramped.
Lastly, include an island in your kitchen if you are able to. Even in a small space there is usually a way to incorporate a small island, or in some cases a kitchen block or small table that can act as a flexible island bench. In terms of socialising, using your kitchen for a homework hub or conversation zone you really can’t go past an island bench to pull this reality together.
Image of design by Bone Made.
Notice how the fridge and butler’s pantry (around the corner) are easy to access at one end of the kitchen. This helps the kitchen not feel cramped when lots of people are using it at one time.
2. A cramped kitchen
Often a kitchen is planned around how many cooks will be using it at one time. Whilst this is a good starting point in your planning, don’t forget about all those extra people that will want to access your kitchen at different times. One way to help your kitchen not feel too cramped on these occasions is to position your fridge, pantry, dishwasher and crockery drawers at one end of the kitchen. This way guests and children can make themselves a drink/snack and clean up after themselves without having to walk through the whole kitchen multiple times in the process!
When you plan a kitchen layout this way it functions so much more smoothly. Remember to consider your working triangle (the distance between your fridge, oven and sink) when deciding on the placement of the fridge as whilst you don’t want your kitchen to be cramped, you don’t want to walk half a mile to get to your fridge either.
Finally, when it comes to a spacious kitchen it pays to measure out all the bench space you will actually need for things like: your appliances, prepping food and the spaces next to your cooking and washing up zones. This way it’s not a guess that you’ll have enough bench space as you will actually know.
Image of design by Studio McGee
There are deep corners in most kitchens that can be used for lots of storage if they are accessible!
3. Inaccessible kitchen corners
Often kitchens can feel that they are lacking adequate storage when in fact the solution can be making awkward corners more accessible. We all know about the troublesome corner cupboards in kitchens (perhaps we even have them, I know I do), where things get placed - never to be seen again! A great solution is to invest in good quality corner drawers (Blum’s ‘Space Corner’ is a great option), or the more affordable lazy Susan options to create better function in your kitchen.
Some of these options are best thought about in the design phase, so if they aren’t possible for you then think about storing items you rarely use in these corners instead. I have all spare kid’s water bottles in plastic tubs and large vases in my kitchen corner which works for me.
Image of design by Kate Bell Design
Notice all the amazing drawers along the back of this kitchen which improve both the storage and organisation of a kitchen.
4. A kitchen lacking storage.
There are lots of ways to add more storage in your kitchen like lots of overhead cupboards and storage within your island. Whilst it can work for some people to have lots of overhead cupboards, I find including more drawers into your lower cabinetry a smarter option. Drawers, whilst more expensive, make a much better use of space because you can see, access and organise all your things more easily.
If your storage needs are carefully considered during the design phase you can plan for more drawers rather that cupboards and still have places of ‘breathing space’ in your kitchen. Breathing space is that lovely idea to have some parts of your kitchen more open and free of cabinetry to create the feeling of openness. On top of this, kitchens with tonnes of storage can lack character when there is no space for items like floating shelves or artwork as a way of injecting your personality into the space. By measuring your appliances and planning the height requirements of your drawers you can design a place for everything and achieve a lovely balance in your kitchen.
Image of design by Nordiska Kok Studio
This design is a beautiful demonstration of a warm, textured kitchen full of meaningful items. You can imagine how it would fit in seamlessly to the other spaces in the home it connects with. Gone are the days of clinical kitchen!
5. A clinical kitchen
Whilst it’s always a good idea to have a clean, functional kitchen this doesn’t mean it has to feel like a hospital. These days more than ever we want our kitchens to feel like parts of our living spaces and to feel warm and welcoming. By adding spaces in your kitchen where you can display beautiful crockery, vessels, art and plants is a great way of helping your kitchen feel like it’s a continuation of the other rooms in your home.
Texture is another powerful way to help your kitchen to not feel clinical. Bringing in natural textures like timber, stone and concrete in different gloss levels helps your kitchen to feel grounded and interesting without feeling cold. Depending on your tastes a warmer colour palette of warm greys, mid toned timbers and earthy ceramics can also help to bring that relaxed, liveable vibe.
Image of design by Alison Lewis Interiors
This kitchen is a wonderful example of the function of an appliance cupboard. How handy to have all your appliances on hand, but behind closed doors when not in use!
6. A cluttered kitchen
It’s one thing to surround yourself with the things you love (I’m all for that), but another to have a cluttered space. This is not me saying I think everyone needs to have a minimal design aesthetic but if you have gone to the effort to design a new kitchen you want it to feel streamlined and fresh.
One way to help house all those practical appliances you use everyday and to keep clutter at bay is the appliance cupboard. This design element works so well as it maintains the functionality of your kitchen and keeps it looking beautiful! You can design the cupboard with as many shelves as you need and as the above image shows it can store your microwave, kettle, toaster….the list goes on.
Another way to keep your kitchen clutter free is to edit the number of items you keep on your benchtops. Of course you will want have certain things on show (and this helps your kitchen from looking clinical), but you need to be a bit ruthless on how many appliances, knife blocks, recipe books and fruit bowls you really need covering your precious bench space. Try popping some things in a drawer and see how often you reach to use it, it might surprise you!
Remember to consider these 6 common kitchen design problems and their solutions if you are in the process of planning your new kitchen. I hope they will help you feel that much more confident in your design, and if you would like to discuss the specifics of your kitchen I’m here to help!